CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

A-B Tech curriculum classes have resumed online.
See Moodle for specific instructions for your classes.
Please see Coronavirus Response page for updates on all programs and services.Latest Updates on Coronavirus Response

Helpful Resources

A-B Tech Student Support Resources

Single Stop at A-B Tech is a "One Stop Shop" for students to get connected to resources that will help keep them in school. The idea is to have a place where students can go to get screened for multiple government benefits and local community resources, receive assistance in accessing those benefits and follow-up to make sure they're successful. Benefits and services include things like food assistance, child care assistance, Medicaid, free tax preparation, financial counseling, and legal referrals. All services are free for A-B Tech students.

Aunt Bertha: Aunt Bertha is a search, referral and application software platform that exists to connect all people in need and the programs that serve them (with dignity and ease). Your platform makes it easy for people facing social needs - and those who help others - to find and make referrals to appropriate programs and services for food, shelter, health care, work, financial assistance and more.

Buncombe Ready COVID-19 Self-Checker

Buncombe Ready COVID-19 Self-Checker is a quick, confidential, easy-to-use assessment tool you can use online or by phone to help determine if you have COVID-19 and how you can proceed to get medical care. This helps public health experts better understand how the virus is spreading in Buncombe County and allows medical experts and local leaders make the best possible, data-driven decisions to protect everyone.

Share information about your health, any symptoms you are having, and your health history.

If your results indicate you need testing, we will connect you with testing and other support to keep you as safe as possible. If you are symptomatic, we will continue to follow up with you every day for 7-10 days after completing the Self-Checker.

You can also use Self-Checker by calling the Ready Team at 828-419-0095, Monday-Friday, 8AM-5:30PM.

Local Resources

Governor Cooper Announces Texting Tool to Access Food for Children: Parents who need food assistance for their children can text FOODNC to 877-877 to locate nearby free meal sites. The texting service is also available in Spanish by texting COMIDA to 877-877. After entering their address, parents will receive a text with the location and serving times for nearby pick-up and drive-thru free meal sites while schools are closed. Sites have been set up across the state for families with children ages 18 and younger, including preschool children, who rely on free and reduced-price meals at school.

Buncombe County Text Alerts: Sign up to receive emergency texts directly from Buncombe County for breaking health and safety news. Text BCALERT on your smart phone to 888-777 to receive alerts on important information such as floods, communicable disease, county office closings, and relevant traffic safety notifications OR visit buncombeready.org

Manna Food Bank is a private, not-for-profit service organization, that links the food industry with over 200 partner agencies in 16 counties of WNC. MANNA is an acronym and stands for Mountain Area Nutritional Needs Alliance. We are a member of Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger relief organization. Together we can solve hunger.

Bounty & Soul is a local non-profit providing free produce markets and wellness education. Connecting people to food, education and each other.

Hands On Asheville-Buncombe
United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County

Hands On Asheville-Buncombe is playing a critical role in the COVID-19 community-wide response efforts; serving as the community hub for volunteering around this crisis. We are working daily with partners, government agencies, businesses and organizations, and individuals; identifying community needs and responding through the power of volunteerism.

We've set up our online portal to serve as an all-encompassing inventory of community-wide volunteer needs that address relief efforts. We have one simple ask of you today, sign up to receive COVID-19 specific volunteer opportunities (both in-person and virtual). This unprecedented situation calls for an unprecedented response, sign up today!

Remember, the situation is fluid and is changing daily. In the interest of public safety, we recommend following guidelines made by local, state and federal health officials for the foreseeable future.

From YMCA of WNC

As always, below are links to our mobile market calendar for March and April and flyers for free weekend meals.

**We are continuing mobile markets, but instead of client choice we are pre-packing food boxes for our neighbors to just come and pick up.**

**While schools are closed, we are also offering free meals for kids under the age of 18 at 6 school sites. Please review the links below for locations and times.**